Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 10, 2025

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
05:04

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect

Published on: September 22, 2023

645

Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Their Association with Breastfeeding and Child Weight Outcomes

María Pineros-Leano1,2, Jaclyn A Saltzman2,3, Janet M Liechty2,4,5

  • 1School of Social Work, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02457, USA.

Children (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 3, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Maternal depression did not impact child weight outcomes in this study. However, breastfeeding for at least six months was linked to fewer maternal depressive symptoms at age three.

Area of Science:

  • Child Health
  • Maternal Mental Health
  • Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Maternal depressive symptoms are linked to adverse child outcomes.
  • The impact of maternal depression on child physical growth remains unclear.
  • This study investigates maternal depression, breastfeeding, and child weight.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between maternal depressive symptoms and child weight.
  • To explore the role of breastfeeding duration in this relationship.
  • To understand the long-term effects on child body mass index percentile (BMI-P).

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from 204 mother-child dyads in the STRONG Kids 1 Study.
  • Assessed mothers and children at ages 3 and 4.
  • Employed multiple linear regression and ANCOVA for analysis of BMI-P, controlling for age and sex.

Main Results:

  • Recurrent maternal depressive symptoms were not associated with child BMI-P at age 4.
  • Mothers breastfeeding for ≥6 months showed lower depressive symptoms at child's age 3, but this effect diminished by age 4.
  • No significant association found between maternal depressive symptoms and child BMI-P, irrespective of breastfeeding duration.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal depressive symptoms did not significantly affect child BMI-P in this community sample.
  • Breastfeeding duration may be associated with short-term maternal mental health benefits.
  • Further research is needed to understand the complex interplay between maternal mental health and child development.

Keywords:
breastfeedingmaternal depressionpediatric obesity

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